- National survey, released in
recognition of Liver Cancer Awareness Month, identifies gaps in
knowledge around the disease, research and support among caregivers
of people with liver cancer
- New online resource,
LiverCancerOutlook.com, provides valuable information for people
with liver cancer and their caregivers
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY), in collaboration with
Blue Faery: The Adrienne Wilson Liver Cancer Association, a leading
liver cancer patient advocacy organization, today announced the
findings from a new survey exploring the experiences of caregivers
of people living with early or advanced stage liver cancer in the
U.S. According to the caregivers surveyed, 90 percent wish there
was more public awareness of the seriousness of a liver cancer
diagnosis and 77 percent think liver cancer doesn’t get as much
attention as other cancers.1
This is despite the fact that the incidence of liver cancer in
the U.S. has more than tripled since 1980, and hepatocellular
carcinoma (HCC) – the most common type of liver cancer – is the
fastest-growing cause of cancer death in the U.S.2,3,4
Prior to diagnosis, many caregivers (43%) of patients with
advanced stage disease did not think their loved one was at risk
for liver cancer, and nearly half (47%) said they were aware of
liver cancer but not very knowledgeable.1 In fact, before their
loved one was diagnosed, nearly three-quarters of these caregivers
(72%) thought that heavy alcohol use was the most common risk
factor for liver cancer.1 However, the reality is that chronic
infection with Hepatitis B virus (HBV) or Hepatitis C virus (HCV)
is the most common risk factor for liver cancer.4,5
“Before my sister was diagnosed with HCC, I thought the only
cause of liver cancer was alcoholism,” said Andrea Wilson,
President and Founder, Blue Faery: The Adrienne Wilson Liver Cancer
Association. The Liver Cancer Outlook survey found that this is
common among liver cancer caregivers, with only one in five (20%)
of those surveyed being familiar with risk factors or the signs and
symptoms of liver cancer.1 “These survey results reinforce the need
to decrease the stigma surrounding the disease and to increase
awareness, research efforts and resources available to patients and
their caregivers.”
The survey of 90 U.S. caregivers of people living with early
stage (n=30) and advanced stage (n=60)1 liver cancer identified a
number of insights into the caregiver experience, including:
- Limited familiarity with the
disease: Few caregivers said they were familiar with
risk factors (17%) or the signs and symptoms of the disease (12%),
prior to their loved one’s diagnosis.1
- Lack of information about treatment
options and/or areas of research: More than half of caregivers
of people with advanced stage liver cancer surveyed (58%) admit
it’s hard to understand what treatment options are available to
their loved one. Nearly all (95%) of these caregivers believe more
information needs to be available about different types of liver
cancer treatment options and/or areas of research, and eight in ten
(82%) wish they knew where to go for this information.1
- The impact of stigma: Half of
the caregivers (56%) agree there is a stigma (i.e., shame)
associated with liver cancer and that these negative perceptions
about liver cancer make it difficult to find support (60%).1
To address the needs these caregivers identified in the survey
and in recognition of Liver Cancer Awareness Month (October),
Bristol-Myers Squibb and Blue Faery have launched
LiverCancerOutlook.com, a dedicated website offering information
about liver cancer and providing links to additional resources for
patients and caregivers.
“As a leader in oncology, Bristol-Myers Squibb strives every day
to understand and address the unmet needs of patients and their
caregivers, including those within the liver cancer community,”
said Awny Farajallah, M.D., Vice President, Head of U.S. Medical
Oncology, Bristol-Myers Squibb. “The Liver Cancer Outlook survey
results underscore the importance of better educating patients and
caregivers, and we are proud to collaborate with Blue Faery to help
provide much-needed information and hope to those who are living
with the daily challenges of the disease.”
In 2017, it is estimated there will be approximately 41,000 new
diagnoses of liver and intrahepatic bile duct cancers in the U.S.
and an estimated 29,000 people will die from the disease.2 HCC is
the most common type of primary liver cancer, cancer that starts in
the liver.6 In addition to HBV and HCV infections, gender, race and
ethnicity, cirrhosis, obesity, type 2 diabetes, certain genetic
syndromes and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are common risk
factors.5,7 HCC in adults is often diagnosed in later stages.8,9 A
patient’s prognosis depends on factors such as the stage of the
cancer (i.e., tumor size, how much of the liver is affected,
whether the cancer has spread), how well the liver is working and
the patient’s general health.10
The survey uncovered important insights into the attitude and
mindset of caregivers. The survey showed that caregiver outlook for
their loved one’s future is dependent on the stage of the disease.1
In fact, caregivers of advanced stage liver cancer patients are
significantly more likely than those caring for early stage
patients to report negative feelings (93% vs. 60%) such as helpless
(50% vs. 17%), sad (50% vs. 7%), frustrated (40% vs. 13%), and
angry (23% vs. 3%).1
A majority of these caregivers of advanced stage patients
acknowledge that a lot of progress is being made in liver cancer
research (63%) and that they would feel hopeful about additional
treatment options becoming available (58%).1
Research efforts are ongoing, and in the past year additional
options have become available for patients with advanced liver
cancer. Nearly all caregivers of advanced stage patients (97%) wish
they knew about the latest developments in liver cancer treatment
or areas of research.1 The most commonly reported treatment
option/area of research that these caregivers are interested in
learning more about is Immuno-Oncology (93%), followed by targeted
therapy (88%), tumor embolization (85%), tumor ablation (83%),
liver cancer surgery (83%), chemotherapy (83%), and radiation
therapy (78%).1
About Liver Cancer Outlook
The Liver Cancer Outlook survey was conducted online by Bryter
on behalf of Bristol-Myers Squibb between July 24 and August 31,
2017 in the U.S., of 90 caregivers of people living with early
stage (n=30) and advanced stage (n=60) liver cancer. Only
caregivers of patients with active disease were included in the
survey. Upon completion of the survey, the data has been tabulated
and significance tested at the 95% confidence interval.1 Bryter
abides by the rules and guidelines of the Market Research Society.
A full methodology is available upon request.
LiverCancerOutlook.com was developed by Bristol-Myers Squibb in
collaboration with Blue Faery: The Adrienne Wilson Liver Cancer
Association. A dedicated website, LiverCancerOutlook.com provides
information and resources for people with liver cancer, their
caregivers and their loved ones.
About Blue Faery: The Adrienne Wilson Liver Cancer
Association
Founded in 2002, Blue Faery’s mission is to prevent, treat and
cure primary liver cancer, specifically HCC, through research,
education and advocacy. Andrea Wilson started Blue Faery in honor
of her sister Adrienne, who died of HCC only 145 days after her
diagnosis.
Blue Faery was compensated for its time spent as an advisor on
the Liver Cancer Outlook Survey and related content. For more
information about Blue Faery, visit BlueFaery.org or follow them on
Twitter and Facebook.
Bristol-Myers Squibb does not endorse and is not responsible for
information provided by third party organizations.
About Bristol-Myers Squibb
Bristol-Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose
mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines
that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more
information about Bristol-Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or
follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube and Facebook.
References
1.) Bristol-Myers Squibb. Bryter. U.S. Survey of Liver Cancer
Caregivers. July 24, 2017 – August 31, 2017.
2.) American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures. 2017.
Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2017.
3.) Islami F, Miller K, Siegel R, et al. Disparities in Liver
Cancer Occurrence in the United States by Race/Ethnicity and State.
Ca Cancer J Clin 2017 Jul 8;67(4):273–289.
4.) Mittal S and El-Serag HB. Epidemiology of hepatocellular
carcinoma: consider the population. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2013 Jul;
47 Suppl:S2-6.
5.) American Cancer Society. Liver Cancer Risk Factors.
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/liver-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html.
Accessed August 8, 2017.
6.) American Cancer Society. What is Liver Cancer?
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/liver-cancer/about/what-is-liver-cancer.html.
Accessed September 21, 2017.
7.) Dhanasekaran R, Limaye A and Cabrera R. Hepatocellular
carcinoma: current trends in worldwide epidemiology, risk factors,
diagnosis, and therapeutics. Hepat Med. 2012 May 8;4:19-37.
8.) Mlynarsky L, Menachem Y and Shibolet O. Treatment of
hepatocellular carcinoma: Steps forward but still a long way to go.
World J Hepatol. 2015 Mar 27;7(3):566-74.
9.) Allaire M and Nault JC. Advances in management of
hepatocellular carcinoma. Curr Opin Oncol. 2017
Jul;29(4):288-295.
10.) National Cancer Institute. Adult Primary Liver Cancer
Treatment (PDQ) – Patient Version.
https://www.cancer.gov/types/liver/patient/adult-liver-treatment-pdq.
Accessed September 28, 2017.
View source
version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171004005339/en/
Media:Bristol-Myers SquibbLaurel Sacks,
609-302-5456laurel.sacks@bms.comorBlue FaeryAndrea Wilson,
818-636-5624andrea@bluefaery.org
Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY)
Historical Stock Chart
From Aug 2024 to Sep 2024
Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY)
Historical Stock Chart
From Sep 2023 to Sep 2024